New Mexico Regulators To Hold Dairy Hearing – Associated Press
The New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission is planning a public hearing to consider changes to the state's dairy regulations.
The hearing will start Monday afternoon in Roswell. Officials say it's possible the proceeding could last all week and more meetings could be scheduled in other parts of the state.
The Roswell Daily Record reports that the amendments would address regulations that specify what steps dairy operators have to take to prevent water pollution and to monitor water quality.
The commission has said Roswell serves as an ideal place for the hearing since it's located in the heart of New Mexico's dairy country.
Environmental groups were unsuccessful in trying to get the commission to hold the hearing in Santa Fe.
Former Corrections Worker Fires Whistleblower Lawsuit – Santa Fe New Mexican
A former Department of Corrections employee is suing the state agency, claiming she was fired in retaliation for speaking out about what she says was a legally questionable decision by her supervisor to hire an educational testing firm with ties to Gov. Susana Martinez’s administration.
Administration representatives on Thursday dismissed the allegations in the lawsuit, which was filed in state District Court in Santa Fe, reported the Santa Fe New Mexican.
In a complaint filed under the New Mexico Whistleblower Protection Act, Catherine Johnson says her firing came after she remarked during a meeting that her supervisor’s decision to change the vendor who administers GED testing for inmates was a waste of taxpayer money that may have violated the state procurement code.
The new vendor, for-profit electronic testing company Pearson VUE, would charge “more than twice the cost of the GED testing service in place at the time,” according to Johnson’s complaint.
Boyd Shooting: Which Officer Fired Fatal Shot? – Albuquerque Journal
The fatal shooting of a mentally ill homeless man in the Sandia foothills last year received national attention and continues to grab headlines as two Albuquerque police officers who fired their rifles at the man now face murder charges.
But the Albuquerque Journal reports that their attorneys say there’s an important question that hasn’t been answered – one that could be key as the case against the officers moves forward.
Whose bullet killed James Boyd?
A forensic review of the evidence completed after the shooting couldn’t answer the question, they said.
Retired Detective Keith Sandy and officer Dominique Perez are each charged with an open count of murder for the death of Boyd. Both officers fired their rifles multiple times.
But a “firearm and tool mark report” completed after the shooting was inconclusive as to where the shot that did the most damage came from.
Corrales Man Sentenced For Voting In Son's Name As Protest – Associated Press
A Corrales man will spend 18 months on probation after pleading no contest to false voting for casting a ballot in his son's name to protest New Mexico's lack of a voter-identification requirement.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that 68-year-old Eugene Victor told police he'd already voted when he cast a ballot in his son's name on Oct. 25.
According to a police complaint, Victor said he felt guilty and turned himself in to voting officials.
Victor appeared Monday in state District Court in Sandoval County.
Records indicate he initially also was charged with forgery and with fraudulent or double voting. A plea agreement dropped the other charges.
Voting records indicate that Victor is a Republican who has voted in 20 local, state and federal elections since 1992.
Amid Calls For Special Session, No Capital Outlay Deal Yet – Santa Fe New Mexican
Both Gov. Susana Martinez and state Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez said that calling a special session of the New Mexico Legislature in order to pass a massive public works program is possible — but only if the other side is willing to compromise.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that state leaders are no closer to a compromise than they were when the Legislature adjourned March 21 without passing a $264 million capital outlay bill — legislation that could have funded projects ranging from highway repairs to prison-security updates, and improvements at parks and senior centers around the state. Both sides seemed to be digging in more than reaching out.
Several business organizations have asked Martinez and legislative leaders to call a special session, saying a bricks-and-mortar spending package would create jobs and boost the state’s economy.
Gov. Martinez Signs Law To Create 500-Mile Statewide Trail – Associated Press
Gov. Susana Martinez has signed into law a measure to create a 500-mile, statewide recreation trail stretching from Colorado to Texas.
Martinez signed the bill Thursday at the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park.
The law creates a commission to define the best routes and reach necessary agreements to designate a path that would weave through majestic vistas, monuments and cultural areas.
Las Cruces Democrat Rep. Jeff Steinborn's bill garnered bipartisan support and squeaked through the Senate a day before the legislative session ended.
Called the Rio Grande Trail, the pathway is envisioned as being similar to the Appalachian Trail or the Continental Divide Trail.
Steinborn says the idea for the trail in not new, but the magnitude of the project has previously deterred construction.
New Mexico Tourism Ad Contract Goes To Santa Fe Firm – Associated Press
The New Mexico Tourism Department has awarded a four-year, $7 million advertising contract to Santa Fe-based Talweg Creative.
The department made the announcement Thursday.
Talweg will be tasked with managing the department's New Mexico True marketing campaign in national and regional markets and within the state.
Talweg has been working with the department over the past year on the New Mexico True video series and will continue to focus on digital media markets.
Gov. Susana Martinez says tourism is an important economic driver for the state and she's looking forward to seeing the evolution of the New Mexico True campaign.
Tourism Secretary Rebecca Latham says the department currently uses four ad agencies to oversee the campaign. She says assigning responsibilities to one agency will streamline the creative process.
Semi-Finalists For Albuquerque Superintendent Job Announced – Associated Press
Texas and California school administrators are among the semi-finalists for Albuquerque superintendent job.
The Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education announced Thursday it has chosen six applicants out of dozens who have applied for the district's top spot.
Luis Valentino, an associate superintendent for San Francisco United School District, and Michael Cardona, chief school officer for Houston Independent School District, are among those competing for the position.
Veronica Garcia, executive director of New Mexico Voices for Children and former New Mexico Public Education Department secretary, also is among the six.
The board plans to interview the semi-finalists next Thursday to further narrow the field. The finalists will participate in public forums on Thursday night and Friday. The board then plans to meet April 11 to select the new superintendent.
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